Natalie: Perseverance and Unity

Natalie at this year’s That Dam 30K, the final qualifying event before the Los Angeles Marathon.

Natalie submitted the winning blog in our First Time Marathoner ‘s Blog Contest. She will be completing her first Marathon with SRLA this Sunday.

Hello! My name is Natalie and this is my story. I started running with SRLA in the seventh grade. Initially, I started this because my life was boring and I didn’t have much to do. I was sitting at home all day doing the same old routine. It was so hard in the beginning because before that, I had never ran over two miles in one go. Now, I would be running over ten at a time! My coach, Mr. Madrigal, was always supportive and he fought hard to get me a spot on the team because he knew I was dedicated. In November of 2018, I was given devastating news that I didn't get a spot on the team. Despite this, I was still motivated to keep going. I ran the Pasadena Half Marathon in 2019 and continued running with SRLA until the end of the season despite not being able to run the Marathon.

Months passed and a new year started. 8th grade year was going to be my year! I started training and grew more endurance than I did in 7th grade. I ran every single race and was improving my times.

I remember crossing the finish line at the Pasadena Half Marathon and just crying because this wasn't the end for me.

Unlike last year, I was still running as a part of the team. SRLA has taught me two things: perseverance and unity. I knew what it meant to go through pain and still persevere with the support of the people around me. I also gained a sense of unity because everyone on my team had the same struggles that I did the year before. I helped them and they helped me. Without them, I probably wouldn't have made it this far.

I am beyond excited for the marathon now. If seventh grade me could see me now, she'd cry happy tears. I have to say thank you to SRLA and thank you to everyone who supported me because without SRLA I would not be the same person and I credit SRLA for a number of my achievements. I went through a lot of struggle. In the middle of this season my dad was set to be deployed overseas. It slowed my running and brought a huge burden on my mental state knowing that he wouldn't be there to see me cross the finish line at the marathon.  Thankfully, he was sent back home and he never was deployed. I have gone through hell and back during my time with SRLA but I thank you for allowing me to go through this journey of running the marathon.

You can support Natalie and the 3000 other students who will be running the LA Marathon this Sunday with SRLA by giving during our Marathon Match Challenge.